The School's Role Preface

Resource Aid Packets are designed to complement our series of Introductory Packets. These resource aids are a form of tool kit related to a fairly circumscribed area of practice. The packets contain materials to guide and assist with staff training and student/family interventions. They include overviews, outlines, checklists, instruments, and other resources that can be reproduced and used as information handouts and aids for training and practice. This Resource Aid on Students and Psychotropic Medication: The School's Role is divided into three sections:> Section I provides an overview perspective, guidelines, and tools related to a school's role in administering and monitoring medication, educating school staff about medication, and providing guidance for students on medication.> The next section highlights major medications and their side effects, with emphasis on those prescribed for prevalent diagnoses encountered in schools, such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders, conduct disorder, anxiety disorders, and so forth.> The final section outlines resources for more information and support, including Internet sites, centers, agencies, advocacy groups, and relevan